Inner Energy

Ever wanted to throw fireballs with your hands as if you were the Human Torch or perhaps Jean Grey?  Well, as chucking scorching flames around the room might get a little, uh, exciting, most would settle for just being able to start something on fire.  The power of combustion in the palm of my hand?  You can count me in!

Well, setting the morning paper alight seems to be just one of the many talents of the man in this video.

 Now, considering the lack of documentation of this study, it’s pretty difficult to outright say, “Yeah, this is soooo real!” without receiving some raised eyebrows.

But qi (or chi), is a theory of body-energy that’s been explored with in various cultures for thousands of years.  Qigong, an inner-energy which can be trained to heal, has been a part of Asian (particularly Chinese) medicine for centuries, right along side acupuncture and herbalism.  Some would call it the magic of Asian folklore.  In parts of Africa, Dogon doctors would practice juju, a similar “magic” of their own, and South America has numerous shaman theories of its own.

Much of Chinese kungfu is highly intertwined the theories of such energy.  The common image of kungfu masters being able to defy gravity present in numerous films can be derived from folklore based on this study of energy.  On a less fantastic note, iron stances, the two-inch-punch, and manipulation of your opponent’s bodily energy all are studied by disciples martial combat, and while some would simply say these are merely attributes of biomechanics, many disagree.  Less violent arts, such as yoga and the healing side of  tai chi explore the energy fields of the human body as well.

 I myself first encountered qi in my pursuit of training in the martial arts, where it is both popular and debated.  After a while of studying fighting techniques, my sensei offered me a chance to learn about it, as he himself had spent years taking energy lessons.  Figuring that it was worth a shot, and that I’d spent enough time with him to know he wasn’t just your average crazy, I agreed.

Since then, I’ve frequently practiced meditation and other “qi exercises.”  If I told you I’d managed to hit someone from across the room with a wave of superpower, not only would I be discredited, deemed “devil-spawn” or short a few marbles, and possibly stalked, but I would also be lying.  I’ve experienced no such obvious manifestations.

But I have experienced odd things: hits that struck me far harder than they should’ve; abnormal amounts of heat radiating from hands; bruises and muscle pain disappearing with unusual speed when treated with qi; stances which make a roundhouse kick no more effective than a light push on the shoulder.

So, while I personally don’t put an excess of stock in a shady, decidedly undocumented video such as this, or claim that such is possible, I’ve learned one thing in my relatively short life: never deem anything utterly impossible, as in the end, you’ll only limit your potential.

[toggle_box title=”Sources” width=”Width of toggle box”]

Photo

Video – “Chi Energy Documentary – Proof of Chi “

Video – “Chi energy revealed!”

[/toggle_box]